"I would like to begin with something else, with positive information - today, the Novosibirsk center Vector has registered Russia's second coronavirus vaccine EpiVacCorona," Putin announced during a meeting with government representatives. He said that this will be an "amazing vaccine", adding that the third vaccine, developed by the Federal Scientific Center for the Research of Immune and Biological Products RAN, will also be finished soon.7
Some of you may ask - why do I consider it interesting that Russia is developing several vaccines? The answer is simple - in Russia, everything is owned either by the state or by a small group of businessmen with close ties to the state. All of the organizations developing the vaccine are state companies, which means that all of the financial profits along with the glory and praise will go to the state.
It would be a different story if the vaccines were developed by private companies, because then they would compete to have the most effective and cost-efficient product. Therefore, it's difficult to find a logical explanation to Russia's approach.
Consequently, if Sputnik V is indeed such a successful vaccine, why is there the need to develop other vaccines? If we remember history, the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite was not because of the Soviet Union's remarkable achievements in the space industry - missiles had been developed to transport nuclear warheads, but at that time Soviet scientists were able to prevent the warhead from falling apart. So, in order to prevent the waste of materials and to scare the US a bit, the Soviet Union decided to use the missile to launch a satellite. Let's hope that it won't be the same with the vaccine.
At the moment, it looks like the vaccine has been developed better than the missile, and Russians are already receiving it.8 On 5 December in Moscow, vaccinations using the Sputnik V vaccine began and the first to get the vaccine were healthcare, education and social workers. There are roughly 70 vaccination stations in the city, and anyone aged 18-60 with no chronic illnesses can sign up for the vaccine. It is reported that the process takes 60 minutes - 10 minutes for the doctor to inspect the person, 15-20 minutes to prepare the vaccine and administer it and 30 minutes for post-vaccination observation.9
Is this serious? This looks more like a vaccine being tested, instead of a tested vaccine being administered. And in a way Putin has confirmed this himself. He is constantly boasting that Russia has developed safe and effective vaccines, but he doesn't intend to get vaccinated himself. On 26 November, Putin's spokesperson said: "We have not yet commenced large-scale vaccination, and the head of the state cannot be a volunteer. It is not possible; the president cannot be vaccinated with an uncertified vaccine."10
If everything is fine and the vaccine is effective, why isn't Putin being vaccinated in order to show an example to the Russian people?
The situation is a bit different in other countries. Three former US presidents Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton and George Bush have volunteered to be publicly vaccinated against Covid-19 to convince the public that vaccination is safe.11 Even Queen Elizabeth II (94) and her husband Prince Philip (99) have agreed to receive the vaccine because their doctors advised them to do so. However, the queen and her husband will have to wait in line to receive the vaccine - just like everyone else. The media reported that the fact that they are monarchs doesn't grant them the privilege to get vaccinated first.12
Indeed, no country is as rich with human resources as Russia, or in other words - in most countries human life and health has some value. If Putin doesn't intend to receive the Russian-produced famous vaccine, it sends an interesting signal to the Russian people and anyone else considering the Russian vaccine. If the head of the state doesn't trust the vaccine, why should anyone else?
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